Get The Right Connection

 

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

From my years in publishing, I understand while on the surface publishing a book may look simple, it is full of complexity. One of the ways to cut through this complexity is to find the right guide or mentor with the right connection. Sometimes finding this right connection can take years. 

In this article, I want to give you some ideas how to find the right connection for you and your publishing. Maybe you’ve read Malcom Gladwell’s bestselling book, The Tipping Point. In 2019, I wrote this article asking Where Is Your Tipping Point? on the Writers on the Move blog. The book highlights four personality types and when I read it, I understood that I’m a connector. Even if you aren’t a connector, you can understand the importance and grow your connections.

As I think about it, my connections come from many different places such as conferences, LinkedIN, podcasts and many other places. It’s important as you make these connections to keep track of your data such as their email and cell phone number. I have several places including my address book and my phone where I will add someone's contact information. It takes a few extra minutes but whenever I need the information (and that may be years later), I’ve made it easy to locate and use. If you don’t have a system or habit or practice for such details. I encourage you to create one that will work for you. 

Years ago I exchanged business cards with people at conferences, connected them with a rubber band and brought them home and put them into a drawer in my desk. The information is there but not in an “easy to use” format. Through the years, I’ve gathered thousands of business cards. 

When you return from a conference or gathering, I encourage you to take a few minutes and add the details into an address book that you can search, save and find when you need it. 

Sometimes the right connection takes time and even years to happen. As an example, I’ll tell about a pair of my Morgan James Publishing authors with a forthcoming book. Their editor and ghostwriter is one of my long-term friends and one of my former editors from Penguin / Random House. She is no longer there. The authors are expert in a current topic and snagged the attention of a  literary agent. For over a year, this agent shopped their excellent book proposal to publishers. In a few cases, they came close but no contract was offered from a traditional house and their agent gave up on shopping it because she could not find the right connection.

These authors had not tried an independent publisher so my editor friend reached out to me. I loved the authors, the topic and their book proposal and book. Through a process, my colleagues agreed and offered these authors a book contract. They signed and now their book is in production. In November both authors will be speaking at a large conference in Boston. We are on track for them to have books to sell at that event. Several months ago, this opportunity to sell books was not going to happen. Also this timely book will release next year in the bookstores. This process begins with finding the right connection and that takes work.

I’ve got many of these types of stories but the bottom-line is: to make the right connection every author has to be in the right place, at the right time with the right stuff. Yes, there were three rights in that last sentence. It takes work and continued effort to make that connection. If someone gives up, the connection doesn't happen.

Action Steps: 

1. Take a hard look at how you process emails and phone numbers from whoever you meet. Do you have a consistent habit with this information? If not, create one and begin the habit.

2. If you don’t have a profile on LinkedIN, then make one and completely fill it out (a critical element including your photo), then make new connections. Are we connected on LinkedIN? Follow this link to my profile and check. If not, then send me a connection invitation. Publishing professionals move around but they take their LinkedIN profile with their move. When I want to reach someone I’ve not connected with in years, LinkedIN is one of the first places I turn to see their contact information. Use this resource to get the right connection.

3. It takes persistence and patience to find the right connection. Last spring I taught at several writers’ conferences. I’m still adding these new connection to my address book and following up with these authors. In my view, it is never too late to restore and renew a connection with someone. Make it a part of your writing life.

What steps are you consistently taking to make the right connection? What steps have I not included? Let me know in the comments below.

Tweetable:

A key element in publishing is making the right connection. In this article, a prolific author and editor gives you the stories and details how to find that connection.  (ClickToTweet)

New Podcasts:

In these articles, I’ve encouraged you to use PodMatch or some similar tool to book and record podcasts. Last week two more podcast recordings launched:

 

Ruth Douthitt and I spoke about publishing myths on the Writer’s Day Podcast. Listen at: https://bit.ly/4n4Etoh  

Carol Graham and I spoke about what are the 10 Publishing Myths You Need to Know and Understand on the Never Give Up Hope Podcast. Listen at: https://bit.ly/4mzGyYp 

Even if you self-publish your book, you need to be cautious about your decisions and who you choose to work with for your book production. I’ve met authors who have spent thousands of dollars in the self-publishing process and unknowingly worked with someone in the Philippines and produced a terrible looking book which is only sold online. I’ve heard the unrealistic expectations of writers. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses.

Subscribe to Terry’s Newsletter:

During the last year, once a week I’ve been sending a short free newsletter. Just follow this link to subscribe. When you are added to the newsletter, you will receive a FREE 87-page Ebook which is packed with insights for every writer.

Get these articles on your email: 

Since 2004, I have blogged about The Writing Life over 1,700 entries and one of the top 27 content writers. With this simple form, each week you can get my new articles, encouragement and insights at: https://t.co/W6uU64u6aA

A Simple Reason Why

   

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Can you articulate in a single sentence, why you write and work in publishing? When you discover and can verbalize your “why,” it can serve as a motivator for consistent action in your writing life.

In this article, I will tell the story of my “why” and how every day it movitates my work in publishing. I have a simple motivation for my work in publishing. Day and and day out I do this work because books change lives. I know this fact firsthand because as a sophomore in college, I read a book which changed the direction of my life.

I chose to study journalism at Indiana University on the main campus in Bloomington with over 30,000 students. Early in the semester I joined the writing staff of The Indiana Daily Student newspaper. Six days a week we produced a full-sized newspaper and gained a great deal of practical experience through this work. I was rebelling from my upbringing and joined an active social fraternity. One night I had been out late partying and was hung over in the city room sitting at an old Royal typewriter (in the pre-computer days) and could not get my fingers on the right keys. When you made a mistake (and I was making plenty), you backed up, x’ed out and continued writing. I knew my copy was going to look terrible and my editor would be telling me about it. Each time I made a mistake, I muttered to myself, “Jesus Christ.” 

Finally the blonde-haired girl sitting next to me could not stand my cursing and said, “Don’t say that, Terry, because one day when you need Jesus you will call out for him and he will not be there.”

I thought to myself, “Not true. I’m a Christian. I go to church when I’m at home. I even read the Bible in church when I am at home.” I had no personal relationship with Jesus.

She encouraged me to check out a bookstore two blocks off the campus which had pretty cards and posters. “Maybe you will find a book which interests you,” she said.

A few days later, I wandered down to this bookstore and bought a book called Jesus, the Revolutionary. I wondered how Jesus could be a revolutionary. At that time I was rebelling from my family and how I was raised. I read this book and it showed me a different side of Jesus than I’d ever seen before. About that time, I was invited to a Jesus people gathering in downtown Bloomington. Everyone sat on the floor on scraps of carpet in this open area with little candles as lights. The people in that room had something that I didn’t have. I bought a Bible and decided to change the direction of my life.

Initially I was planning to be a newspaper reporter on the Indianapolis Star or some other newspaper. Instead when I completed my degree, I joined Wycliffe Bible Translators and studied linguistics. I spent several years in Guatemala working among the Southwest Cakchiquel people and celebrated with them in 1990 at the publication of their New Testament.  

I began to write for magazines and attended a writers’ conference and met an editor who liked my idea for a children's book called When I Grow Up, I Can Go Anywhere for Jesus which was published in 1992. In the decades since I’ve written more than 60 books for traditional publishers and I continue to write and work with many authors on their books. I’m acquiring or finding books at my third publisher, Morgan James Publishing, where I’ve been for the last 13 years. 

As I began this article, my “why” is simple: I work in book publishing because books change lives. It drives what I do every day. In 1998, I published this little story in an article called Two Words That Changed My Life (follow the link to read it). Books can go places that we will never go as writers and influence lives that we will never touch this side of heaven.

Take some time and think about the reason you are writing. Can you capture it in a short sentence? If you can do this, let me know in the comments below.

Tweetable:

To motivate your consistent work in publishing, this prolific writer and editor believes you must have a simple reason why. Read the story and understand how to create your own why.   (ClickToTweet)

New Podcasts:

In these articles, I’ve encouraged you to use PodMatch or some similar tool to book and record podcasts. Last week two more podcast recordings launched:

 

Wisdom Okonkwo interviewed me about how you should stop waiting for someone else to create your success on the Relatable Wisdom Podcast. Listen at: https://bit.ly/4oWYb6H 

Roy Coughlan (@Poleire) and I spoke about Podcasts Can Help Promote Your Book on the PodFather Podcast. Listen at: https://bit.ly/41uLBBC 

My Writing In Other Places:

With these articles, I encourage you to publish your work beyond your blog in other places. Below are three articles which were published in other online locations than this blog.

Once a month, I guest blog for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference blog. This month I encoruaged writers to be open to a world of possibilities then provides a partial list for our writing. https://bit.ly/3HwqxDZ

 

Also once a month I blog for Writers on the Move. This month I wrote about how publishing has many pitfalls. My article gives a cautionary tale and a series of actions for every author: https://bit.ly/45NDzpT 

In addition, once a month I blog about book proposal creation for Almost An Author. This month I wrote about how an excellent proposal involves hard work at:  https://bit.ly/4muNo1X 

New Podcasts:

rewrite Much of the publishing process is outside of the writer’s control. 10 Publishing Myths helps writers have a realistic perspective and take action. Get 10 Publishing Myths for only $10 +FREE shipping + over $200 of free bonuses.

Subscribe to Terry’s Newsletter:

During the last year, once a week I’ve been sending a short free newsletter. Just follow this link to subscribe. When you are added to the newsletter, you will receive a FREE 87-page Ebook which is packed with insights for every writer.

Get these articles on your email: 

Since 2004, I have blogged about The Writing Life over 1,700 entries and one of the top 27 content writers. With this simple form, each week you can get my new articles, encouragement and insights at: https://t.co/W6uU64u6aA 

Missed Learning Opportunities

 

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

As writers, we are surrounded with rich insights from other writers who are in a different place in their writing lives. If we take action, we can learn important insights for our writing. I want to tell you about some of my missed learning opportunities and my plans to make a personal course correction in this area.

First, a confession. One of the benefits from being on the faculty of a large writer’s conference like the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference is the gift of all the recordings from a wide array of workshops and instructors. In 2023. I was a part of this faculty and after the conference, I carefully downloaded and organized all of the audios and handouts. Here’s my confession, during the last two years I have not listened to a single session.

Last month once again, I was on the faculty with the gift of the various recordings. I downloaded and organized all of these audios and handouts. I’m determined to take a different course of action. I’m creating a plan to consistently listen to some of these recordings and apply it to my writing life. In the last few days, I’ve started this listening process. Because I also downloaded all of the handouts, I locate the handout and print it, then as I listen to the workshop I make action notes on this handout. To get started, I’m not starting at the beginning or the end but picking the topics which are interesting or the speakers that are of interest to my writing. Each session is over an hour in length. I’ve pulled the audio to my desktop and at different moments throughout my day, I am listening to part of the workshop. 

Here’s another way to consume these audios. I don’t have to listen to them on my desktop or laptop computer. I’ve learned to send the audio file as an attachment to myself. Then I open that file on my phone and can listen to it on my mobile device which is much more portable than a laptop or desktop computer. I hope each of you are seeing the flexibility and options which open up to hear the recordings on your phone as well as your computer.

Notice how I broke down this huge task of listening to hours or recordings into bite-sized pieces that I can easily accomplish and find value for my writing life. From what I have read and experienced in publishing, I believe there are many others who never use the audios or online courses they have purchased--much less listened to the material then applied it to their writing life. If you want to be the exception, then you have to follow a different course of action.

For example, do you want to write a book over the next few months? No writer sits and writes a full book manuscript. I’ve interviewed many bestselling authors. The bulk of these writers will set a goal of how many words they want to write during a day or during a week. They establish a goal which is reasonable for them and something they can accomplish time after time. Then these writers find the time in their schedule (early in the morning or late at night or during their lunch schedule). They sit at their keyboard, move their fingers and write words. That first draft isn’t perfect and will often need rewriting and revision for it to be published. Getting your first draft down on paper moves it from your head to reality. It does not happen by “thinking” or “dreaming” about writing. It does not happen by reading and studying how-to-write books (even though I’ve written several of these books). You achieve your writing goals little by little and make continual progress toward writing that final page.  

Years ago in August 2020, I wrote an article about how to eat an elephant (follow the link to read it). Do you have a series of these audio recordings on a flash drive or on your computer? Have you listened to them and applied them to your writing life? What steps do you take in this area? Let me know in the comments and I look forward to your insights.

Tweetable:

We are surrounded with opportunities to learn about our writing craft. This prolific writer and editor confesses to his missed learning and specific actions. Read the details here.  (ClickToTweet)

New Podcasts:

In these articles, I’ve encouraged you to use PodMatch or some similar tool to book and record podcasts. Last week another podcast recording launched:

Jon Clemence and I spoke about Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed on the Content Creators Unite! podcast. Listen at:https://bit.ly/4kyXr44 

I’m currently working for my third publisher as an acquisitions editor. Without exaggeration, I’ve spoken with hundreds of authors about their books and plans. Repeatedly, I find many authors have an unrealistic expectation for what will happen when their book gets published. I know much of the publishing process is outside of anything that an author can control. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS, which is a practical easy reading book to help you. Get my decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses. 

Subscribe to Terry’s Newsletter:

During the last year, once a week I’ve been sending a short free newsletter. Just follow this link to subscribe. When you are added to the newsletter, you will receive a FREE 87-page Ebook which is packed with insights for every writer.

Get these articles on your email: 

Since 2004, I have blogged about The Writing Life over 1,700 entries and one of the top 27 content writers. With this simple form, each week you can get my new articles, encouragement and insights at: https://t.co/W6uU64u6aA

Why Your Timing Is Important

    

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

In the publishing world, one of the critical difference maker is timing. I understand that none of us can control timing but in this article I want to encourage you to be aware of timing but also to take additional actions.

I worked as an acquisitions editor at a couple of publishers who often delayed publication board meetings in the summer because of vacations. The different leaders in the publishing house were not available for the meeting--even though it was only once a month. This behind-the-scenes detail can affect how rapidly you get a decision related to your submission. 

Writer’s conferences can also affect timing for your submission. During these conferences you learn more about a publisher or how to craft your proposal or manuscript. When you get home, you want to incorporate these insights and improvements into your proposal. It delays your submission to literary agents and publishers. Or you connect with a literary agent at the conference. This agent likes your book proposal but also notices some missing elements which need to be reworked and incorporated into your submission. This improvement process can delay your submission.

At Morgan James Publishing, our publication board meets every week which steps up the pace of sending contracts to authors. Sometimes the author responds right away and other times there is a great deal of back and forth with that author before they make a decision about the contract offer. Some authors accept the offer and sign while others will choose to go in a different direction. There are many different options and choices in this process.

I’ve met many authors who have spent months looking for a literary agent. After finding an agent, the agent shops the book to many different publishers and does not land a publishing deal with anyone. Hopefully from these different examples, you can see there are many different possible directions and timing is a factor in each one. A great deal of publishing is being at the right time with the right person with the right pitch. It takes continued effort for those details to line up.

What steps can you take to affect timing?

1. Make sure you create an excellent manuscript and book proposal. Every pitch needs the right foundation with excellent stories and interesting writing. It takes work and effort from the writer to create this foundation.

2. Do not get mired in the creation and never submit your work. Some writers get stuck in the proposal and manuscript creation and never submit their work which does not give it a chance to get published and into the world.

3. You are the only person who can give up on your manuscript. Some authors are rejected hundreds of times before their work finds the right publisher. Keep moving forward with your work.

Your consistency and persistence is critical to the process of timing. It’s unpredictable who will read your material and when they will read and process your material. The single element you can control is the submission. If the idea remains in your head and heart and you never send it into the world, it can not be published. 

Each of us as writers before we communicate with an editor or literary agent need to think about where this other person is coming from and their viewpoint. For example, as an editor, I have a lot of submissions to process. This weekend I got an email from one of those authors pitching another novel. She mentioned in her pitch that the unprocessed novel was under consideration with Morgan James Publishing (which was true). That first submission came in months ago and has been stuck in my to do pile (which grows daily). The author’s email spurred me to process that first submission and arrange a time to speak with her and see if this submission is a fit for Morgan James to publish.  This author was wise to work on something else while she was waiting and also to reach out to me again in a gentle and non-accusatory fashion. I include this story so you can learn from the author's example and mirror it in your own writing life.

Also if you don’t get a response, use the gentle follow-up to make sure the submission is received--and do not push or you will get a quick and no response. Editors, literary agents and writers are doing the best they can do within their own limitations of time and energy. If you get the opportunity, give grace and understanding even if you can’t know the details of the other person.

Tired of Doing but Still Doing It

Several of my consistent activities to tell people about my work are tied to a schedule which I set up (in some cases years ago). To be honest, I get tired of doing the work for this pattern--but even if I’m tired of it, I still do it anyway. Why? Because I know that someone has to hear about the benefits of your book over and over. Some people say as many as 20 times before they buy it. These scheduled touches to my readers are a part of my consistent activities and even with little engagement or feedback, I continue on the path. It is a pattern which I encourage you to do as well. Is this hard work easy or simple? No but it is necessary so find a way to do it.

I hope this article has helped you see the importance of timing but also the necessity to continue moving forward with your writing life no matter what else is going on in your life. What have I missed or do you have to add to this article? Let me know in the comments below.

Tweetable:

Every writer needs to be aware and understand the importance of timing. This prolific author and editor gives encouragement to continue moving forward.  (ClickToTweet)

A great deal of the publishing process is outside of anything that an author can control. Also, often many of these authors have unrealistic expectations about publishing. I wrote  10 PUBLISHING MYTHS as a practical easy reading book to help you. Get my decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of

bonuses. 

Get these articles on your email: 

Since 2004, I have blogged about The Writing Life over 1,700 entries and one of the top 27 content writers. With this simple form, each week you can get my new articles, encouragement and insights at: https://t.co/W6uU64u6aA

Be A Responsive Communicator

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

If I stop and think about the piles of things that I want to accomplish, I understand that I am failing in many areas. I have more personal writing that I want to start and finish. I have authors who have pitched me that I want to get them contracts and need to process their submissions. I have organization work to do on my computer and even my desk. Authors have sent me books to read and review. The list goes on and on...

In this article I want to encourage you to be a responsive communicator. In a world where many editors or literary agents do not respond, I will send a short email (not always but more often than others). In a world where editors and agents don’t respond to pitches, I will send a short email saying “Got it.” 

If someone doesn’t respond to my email, I will call them or text them. I admit that I don’t use text often and it is one of my least favorite communication tools--but for some people it is the only way they will respond. I’ve learned to use the microphone button on my phone for texting, then carefully read the output before I send it. It is a way to communicate.

Why  should I take the time to communicate?

--In a world which does not communicate, if you respond, it is a simple way to stand out from the crowd. It does not take much. For example, in the area of submissions, Morgan James Publishing sends a letter of acknowledgement in the mail for every submission. We receive over 5,000 submissions a year and only publish about 180 to 200 books. Most publishers have dropped this letter of acknowledgement. The fact that we still do it is a way to distinguish ourselves. We also have a secondary motivation for collecting this address. If later on we decide to make a contract offer, we have the author’s mailing address for the document.

--distinguish yourself as a communicator. Your consistency as a communicator is important. Authors who ask good questions and communicate distinguish themselves as someone the publisher wants to work with. It’s a careful balance here beause you don't want to overcommunicate and become a high maintenance author. 

--distinguish yourself as reliable. As you steadily communicate meet deadlines for different matters. You distinguish yourself as a writer who is reliable. Many writers miss deadlines or extend them (often at the last minute). These actions throw publishing schedules into chaos and put greater pressure on others in the chain of events. It's much better if you meet the deadline--even if it requires some extra effort on your part.

As I’ve heard the stories about Pope Leo XIV, some friend who knew him talked about getting a text from him. This incident showed me that he is a communicator and which is a valuable characteristic.

--Your response can be short. Your consistent response will pay off for you. Unfortuately the publishing community is notorious for giving a slow response or no response (ghosting). If you are consistent--even if short, that responsiveness will pay off for you within the community.

--Try multiple methods to communicate. As an editor, I reach out to authors to set phone meetings. The majority respond to my email but others prefer text and others prefer a phone call. Be aware of these different communication tools and use them to increase your effectiveness.

--Use templates. As an editor, I have a number of different emails that I send in the submission process. I don’t have to reinvent each of them and use a template. Yet I make sure I personalize and change each template before I send it. It's all part of being a good communicator.

When You Fall Behind--Keep Going

If you watch my social media stream, you will see that for many years I post 12 to 15 times a day. I use a scheduling program called Hootsuite. Throughout last week I was tied up throughout the day at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. With this intense schedule, my posts for the last few days were pretty limited. At that point I could choose to change direction and stop (like many people do) or I could give myself grace and keep going. I’m choosing the grace option and not giving up. It’s what I recomend you do when you fall behind. Do not give up but keep going.

Are you a responsive communicator? What am I missing and insights do you have into this important process? I look forward to your comments.

Tweetable:

As a writer, you need to be a responsive communicator according to this prolific author and editor encourages simple actions. Get the details here.  (ClickToTweet)

Throughout my many years in publishing, I’ve co-authored over a dozen books and reviewed thousands of submissions (no exaggeration). As a part of the process of working with these authors, I speak with them about their dreams and plans. Many of these authors have  unrealistic expectations about what will happen with their published book. Many aspects of the details of publishing are outside of anything an author can control. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses. 

Get these articles on your email: 

Since 2004, I have blogged about The Writing Life over 1,700 entries and one of the top 27 content writers. With this simple form, each week you can get my new articles, encouragement and insights at: https://t.co/W6uU64u6aA

If Time Challenged, Then Set a Deadline

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Are you feeling time challenged? Does it feel like each day is passing with increasing speed? It’s a feeling I face daily and in this article I want to give you some action steps for your writing life.

We live in one of the greatest times in human history with incredible opportunities and communication tools. Our ability to communicate with each other happens 24 hours a day and seven days a week. As an editor, the submissions pour into my email account every day--even on the weekend. Last Sunday an author emailed me with his submission which was in five attachments. The better submission would combine all of these attachments into a single document. Even though it was the weekend, I opened two or three of them. The email and each attachment was missing the information I needed to get the submission started. These documents did not contain the author’s mailing address nor his phone number. Without this basic information, the submission cannot get entered into our internal system. 

While it is a bit “old school,” Morgan James Publishing acknowledges every submission which enters the system with a letter in the US mail (and emailed if outside the US). Why? This mailing address is needed if later in the process, we are able to issue a contract offer to publish the book. When I noticed this author didn’t have the information, internally I groaned (not the editor reaction that you want to evoke). If this submission was going anywhere to be considered I had to email the author for the information. It was simply one more unnecessary action for an overloaded schedule. 

Yet I sent the email to the author--even on a Sunday morning. Make sure your submission is complete with the requested information. If your submission is not complete and requires another email from that editor, it may not happen--then you wonder why--but you were the cause because you did not include the requested information.

If you select any month or day, I have a series of deadlines to meet. For example, I guest blog for several different places once a month. Each one has a specific deadline and I will list that deadline in the reminder’s section of my phone, then work toward completion. Also I have a number of submissions which I need to process for these authors to receive a publishing contract. It involves setting up a conference call with the author and proposing a time on email then confirming when they respond. During the call, I ask for several specifics which I need from that author before their paperwork can be completed to possibly get them a contract. If the author doesn’t provide these details, I may need to email or call and follow-up or it could simply be dropped because of their lack of response. However it happens, I’m saying that as an editor I have a series of submissions blasting into my email constantly--way more than any single person could possibly process. Each day I keep chipping away at getting it done.

Also I have scheduled trips to conferences where in general I’m away from my email and phone because I’m meeting face to face with authors. Or I’m teaching a workshop or visiting with authors and hearing about their work and pitches during a meal or a coffee break. These interactions happen early in the morning or even late at night. At these events, my natural tendency is to go to my room and be alone (which happens sometimes on overload). Normally I fight those tendencies and instead make a point of being visible and interacting with whoever crosses my path. I see these interactions as divine appointments and have great stories and experiences from those “chance” meetings.

Whenever I face this steady stream of work and feel time challenged, I celebrate my journalism training and experience. As a young newspaper reporter, I worked on The Peru Daily Tribune in an open newsroom. There were no cubicals but an open series of desks with old manual typewriters, noise and even some cigarette smoke. It was in the days before anyone had a cell phone or computer. The managing editor would gather the staff in his office at 7 a.m. for a story meeting. We brainstormed story ideas for the newspaper.

The managing editor would turn to me and say, “Terry, I need an on the street viewpoint article about (some current event).” My task would be to corner someone on the street, ask a few questions along with their contact information. Then get back to the newsroom, type out my story and turn it into my city editor on or before 11 a.m. There was no time for writer’s block or daydreaming about what to write. It forced every reporter into action because we were writing for  daily newpaper. The edited pages were typeset then printed in the afternoon newspaper which hit the street at 3 p.m. My years of experience meeting deadlines helps me continue to make these deadlines.

The first step in your time challenged experience, is to set your own deadlines then meet those deadlines. An easy way for any writer to standout is to meet your deadlines with quality and complete writing. Many writers are notoriously late. As an editor, I’ve worked with writers and their literary agents to set a contract deadline. When that deadline approaches, these writers (or their agent for them) will call and ask for addtional time. Making this extension is Okay but you can standout as a writer if you hit the original deadline or even turn it in a few days early. 

Use scheduling tools is another resource for the time challenged. For example, every week I publish an original article about The Writing Life. Next week I will be teaching at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference with limited time at my computer. To meet my article deadline, I’ve written it ahead of time and scheduled the release.

Beyond awareness and scheduling tools, your awareness that for something to be effective, you have to  accomplish it repeatedly. I’ve been doing this repeatedly with my weekly newsletter to my email list. I’ve also been doing it through my social media scheduling.

As I’ve written in these articles, I post on social media 12 to 15 times every day seven days a week. To be honest, there are times when I don’t want to do the posts at this frequency. Yet I understand that years ago I set up this expectation and schedule. From the engagement and feedback, I know some people read these entries and they are getting used. While  some days I may be tired of it in obedience and discipline I sit each week and do it. You can make a similar decision. 

What steps do you take when you are time challenged? Do you simply shut down and get away from it all? I have some friends who react in that manner as well. Or maybe you have another idea that I’m missing. Let me know in the comments below. Let’s learn from each other.

Tweetable:

When you are time challenged and overwhelmed with work, what steps to you take? Some people shut down and this prolific author and editor encourages you to set and meet deadlines. Read the details here.  (ClickToTweet)

No matter what type of writing you tackle, each one contains its own challenges and complexity. Many aspects of the publishing process are outside of anything an author can control. Through my years in this business, I’ve spoken with many authors, I find many of them have unrealistic expectations about publishing. I wrote  10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help. Get my decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses. 

Get these articles on your email: 

Since 2004, I have blogged about The Writing Life over 1,700 entries and one of the top 27 content writers. With this simple form, each week you can get my new articles, encouragement and insights at: https://t.co/W6uU64u6aA

Keep Your Dreams and Hopes Alive

 

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

As writers and communicators, each of us are on a journey. Numerous times in these articles on The Writing Life, I’ve pointed out there is no one-two-three step formula for success. At least I’ve been looking, studying and reading for years and have yet to find it. If you know the secret, reach out to me or let us know in the comments. 

Instead as writers, we have hopes for what will happen in our writing life. Besides hope, we have dreams about our future. Finally we are storytellers and want to tell others the story. In this article I want to give encouragement and remind you know the discovery process happens or stops. 

Persist in Taking Continued Action

As the author, you have the greatest passion for your writing. Dip into this passion to be consistently taking action and telling others about your book. Stress the benefits of others reading your work. Use their reviews and endorsements. There many different tools and ways to promote. It's important to accept the responsibility for your own success and take continued action. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time but must be consistent.

If you need ideas, pick up a copy of John Kremer’s 1001 Ways to Market Your Book or Raleigh Pinskey’s 101 Ways to Promote Yourself. Each of these books are filled with tested and tried ideas.

Make and Foster New Connections

Last week I had coffee with a local author who is a podcaster that turned down my pitch to be on his program. We met and exchanged some ideas. Will it lead to something? I don’t know but I’m happy to have made the relationship. Look for local writer’s groups where you can participate, exchange busienss cards and make new connections. Again the consistency will pay off and open doors you can’t imagine.

Be Open to Different Possibilities

Are you looking for a traditional book deal and a literary agent? To be realistic, at the moment that path may be a difficult one for you. Can you find another way to get your book into the marketplace with a company like Morgan James Publishing? You can’t know about the details if you don’t pitch (submit) then consider the details. 

If you are writing books, that’s great. Are you writing for magazines? You can reach more people with a magazine article than most books and promote your book in the process. Magazine editors tell you what they want from writers in their guidelines (use google to find it). Pitch them what they are asking for and you will be more likely to get their acceptance. Yes, it is that simple. 

Get Feedback Before You Submit

One of the most difficult things for any writer (including me) to see in their writing: something that is not there. Maybe you are missing a critical component. Possibly you need a different title. Maybe you are missing a key factor in your book proposal. The list of possibilities can be endless. Get help from somone before you submit. It can be an outside editor. It can be your critique group or another writer where you have an accountable relationship. 

A key part of the way to keep your hopes and dreams alive is to consistently take action. Continue learning but use that knowledge to reach more people. There is an endless list of things that needs to be accomplished. Yes, I have one too and stop every day with more to do than I can get done. Yet I keep chipping away at accpmplishing the work. There is only one person that I can handle--me. 

As Mark Twain said, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and starting on the first one.”

No matter what you are writing I encourage you to perservere and continue. If you stop, then the dreams stop and hope stops. As long as you continue, it continues.

Get to a live event (follow this link to see my speaking schedule), invest in yourself and don’t just go to the meetings and then to your room. Throughout the event, meet as many people as you can. Ask questions, learn about their dreams and hopes and get ideas for your own writing. 

What actions are you consistently taking to stoke your own dreams and hopes? Let me know in the comments below.

New Podcasts:

In these articles, I’ve encouraged you to use PodMatch or some similar tool to book and record podcasts. Last week another podcast recording launched.

Paul Nelhart and I had a great conversation about: Secrets to Getting Your Book Published Successfully on The Intrinsic Mindset Podcast. Listen at: https://bit.ly/3YdAjzO 

Caroline Biesalski (@inspiredcast) and I talked about Demystifying Publishing: Terry Whalin’s Insights and Strategies for Success on The Inspired Choice Podcast. Listen at: https://bit.ly/4clmVzI   

My Articles in Other Places:

In these articles, I encourage you to guest blog and write for other places. Here’s a recent published article:

On the Kill Zone Blog I wrote about Why Self-published Books Are Rarely in bookstores at: https://bit.ly/3R0BT4d Be sure and read the comments as well as the article for additional information.

Tweetable:

As writers, we need to keep our hopes and dreams alive. This prolific author and editor tells some stories and gives specific action steps for your writing life. Read the details here.  (ClickToTweet)

For many years, I have spoken with individuals who want to publish a book. I’ve listened to their plans and found many of them have an unrealistic idea about the details of publishing. To sell books and succeed, these details are important. 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS is a practical easy reading book to help you. Get my decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of

bonuses. 

Get these articles on your email: 

Since 2004, I have blogged about The Writing Life over 1,700 entries and one of the top 27 content writers. With this simple form, each week you can get my new articles, encouragement and insights at: https://t.co/W6uU64u6aA

Important Old School Practices

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

While I’ve been involved in publishing for a long time, there are some simple but important practices that writers need to be using. Some people would call these actions “old school.” In this article I want to give some examples and encouragement.

Build Relationships

As writers, we need relationships with others in the publishing world. How are you build these relationships and adding to them? For example, this week I received an email from an author that I had not heard from in seven years. I exchanged emails with her then I checked my phone and her number was still in my address book. I called the number and had a short conversation with her. I encouraged her to come to another writer’s conference, listened to her book pitch and affirmed the value of this concept. It didn’t take much time but I believe I passed on some value to this writer and hopefully our paths will cross again in the future.

Throughout my day, I will get an idea to contact someone, pick up the phone and call or leave them a message. It is an old school practice that I do often. Sometimes it leads to something and sometimes not. At least I’m knocking on the door, and trying to get it to open--not just thinking about it. As writers we have to be proactive in our actions and maybe you can do so through making more phone calls.

Monitor and Respond to Your Email

As editors and writers, we are in the communication business--which unfortunately often doesn’t communicate. Everyone has email. Are you reading and responding to your email? 

Several weeks ago, I received an email from an author who last fall considered our Morgan James Publishing contract offer and turned it down. In the new email from this author, he asked if the contract was still available. I checked with my colleagues and learned the contract could still be available. I revised the date on the contract and returned it to this author. It took some time but he signed this contract and is moving forward to publish his book.

Is there an offer that you have turned down which you could return to that publisher and make a different decision? The possibilities are there if you take an old school action and follow-up.

Design and Carry Business Cards

Do you have a current business card? If not, I encourage you to create one and carry it with you. I’ve used my business cards in many different places such as on an airplane or in a restaurant or even in my local post office. Whenever I give a card, I will often ask for their information or business card. Sometimes I get it and sometimes not.

Keep track of The Data on Those Cards

When you receive a card or address information, do you keep track of this data or actively put it into your computer address book? It's an old school practice. You never know when you will need to reach out to this person and you can’t if you don’t have the data. Take consistent action to preserve and add to your data collection. If someone doesn’t have a card, I will often gather the information with a pad and paper which is an old school practice.

Use The Gentle Follow-up Method

If you don’t hear from someone, do you follow-up and see if they need something additional? Last week, I remembered a proactive author who was enthused about his second book contract with Morgan James Publishing. Because I never received this author's signed contract, I called him to see if he had any update or questions?

I learned that he had signed and returned his contract over a week earlier. As we were on the phone, he resent his signed contract so I could get it moving forward. Without my follow-up, the contract would still be stuck in limbo. Technology is not perfect and as people we make mistakes and don’t get something done that needs to be done. Are you using the old school method of email or phone to follow-up?

It is not a perfect process. Each of us have more to be done than any of us can do. When something important to you does not get done, it’s important to follow-up and take action.

Within the publishing world, we understand that it is a process. There is no right or wrong way to do these old school practices. The key is to use them on a regular and consistent basis. It will yield results for your publishing. What am I missing? Let me know in the comments below.

My Articles in Other Places:

In these articles, I encourage you to guest blog and write for other places. Here’s a couple of my recent published articles:

Once a month, I guest blog for Writers on the Move. When you record a radio interview, how do you use it for on-going promotion? Get specific action steps how to repurpose your radio interviews in this article: https://bit.ly/426ATlf

Each month I guest blog about some aspect of book proposal creation for Almost An Author. This month I wrote about how ppPublishing is a Relational Business at: https://bit.ly/4lnZwBV

Each month I guest blog at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference blog. This molnth I asked Can You Avoid Publishing Pitfalls? at: https://bit.ly/4iKoVUa

New Podcasts:

In these articles, I’ve encouraged you to use PodMatch or some similar tool to book and record podcasts. Last week two more of my podcast recordings launched.

Timothy Brien and I spoke about publishing myths debunked on the Create Art Podcast. Listen to it at: https://bit.ly/41MHRMr 

Brett Ingram and I had a great conversation: Write Your Book and Change Lives on the optYOUmize Podcast. Listen at: https://bit.ly/4iTuWOU

Tweetable:

There are important old school practices. Are you using them in your writing life? This article gives the details from this prolific author and editor.  (ClickToTweet)

Currently I’m working with my third publisher as an acquisitions editor. During these years, I’ve spoken with many authors about their expectations, dreams and desires for their books. I find many unrealistic expectations. Many aspects of the publishing process are outside of anything an author can control. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses. 

Get these articles on your email: 

Since 2004, I have blogged about The Writing Life over 1,700 entries and one of the top 27 content writers. With this simple form, each week you can get my new articles, encouragement and insights at: https://t.co/W6uU64u6aA